Help - Reference Services

If you ever need help figuring out how to best use our many resources, feel free to contact our reference librarians by any of the means above. You can also meet a librarian in person by making an appointment or by visiting the reference desk, located on the first floor of the library.

Library Policies

Circulation Policies

Periodicals

Periodicals are designated as non-circulating, and in most cases must be used in the library. If a periodical needs to be taken out of the building for photocopying purposes a 24-hour circulation is possible. Circulation desk staff will check out the item. Librarian approval is necessary for longer periods.

Maps

Maps must have an approval slip from a reference librarian to be checked out. The librarian will fill out the approval slip, including the due date and time. The patron will then be directed to the circulation desk with the approval slip, map and map tube.

Reference Books

These items also must have an approval slip from a reference librarian. The librarian will fill out the approval slip, including due date and time, and send the patron with it and the reference book to the circulation desk.

Off-campus Faculty, Staff and Students

For UI, UI law, IMTC, Herbarium and Women's Center books: Find the book in the catalog, click on 'find it', then 'sign in for more options'. After signing in, you may then request the UI owned item, or request the item via Summit, or request the item via ILL. Books are mailed to the patron's address. They must be returned by the due date using the enclosed mailing label.

For Interlibrary Loan books: We mail books from other libraries to off-campus patrons who reside in Canada and the U.S. via first class mail. Due dates are determined by the lending library and average three weeks. One renewal may be possible. Books must be returned first class, FedEx or UPS by the due date. Overdue fees apply for all patrons.

Fines

Fines are $0.30 a day up to a maximum of $10.50 per book. Lost books have a charge of $50.00 for the book and a $20.00 processing fee. Recalled books are given a $20.00 fine.

Fines for Reserve materials are $2 per hour or partial hour for overdue items, maximum $20, for paper reserve. There are no fines for electronic reserve materials.

Cell Phone Policy

By working with you, members of the University of Idaho academic community, to better understand the issues before us, it is quite obvious that we all have different opinions about cell phones and their appropriateness in the Library.

Given that we (University of Idaho community members) recognize:

there is a need for quiet study in the library

there will be no active enforcement by library staff of this policy

that noise pollution should be reduced in this public place

The Library requests that cell phones and their users respect the wishes of the people who desire a quiet location for study by:

changing the setting on their phones to a non-audible signal

limiting their conversations in public areas, particularly on the third and fourth floors

The Library further requests that all users honor the space on the third and fourth floors as quiet areas, taking conversations and group work either to group study rooms or to other spaces in the building.

We hope that this policy is something we can accept as a behavior contract, and that this is liberal enough so the community can share in its enforcement. Thank you for your efforts in discussing this issue.

Food and Drink Policy

This policy is designed to create a welcoming atmosphere for all library users. Food and drink pose a potential risk to library collections, equipment, and furnishings. We, therefore, ask that you act responsibly when consuming food and beverages in the library. The Library reserves the right to enforce this policy at its own discretion. Thank you for your kind cooperation.

Reserve Policy

Course reserves

Faculty may place readings on reserve to supplement assigned readings for their courses. These readings must comply with provisions in the U.S. Copyright Act and FERPA. If the nature, scope, or extent of copying is judged to exceed the fair use principles of the Copyright Act, the library will work with the professor to find alternative arrangements.

Access

Off-campus students will need to use their barcode (from Vandal card) to gain access to library resources

Library Group Study Room Policies

First floor study rooms are available for reservation. If not currently occupied, they are first come, first serve with priority given to groups.

Study rooms on other floors are not scheduled or reserved.

Groups take precedence over individuals. A group of two or more has priority over one person who is waiting for others to arrive.

Groups may not "camp out" for extended periods.

Windows and doors must remain uncovered and unobstructed.

Lights are to be left on.

Rooms are not available during the summer.

Study Lockers and Carrels

Study lockers are available to all UI students on a first come, first served basis. The lockers are assigned for one semester only. The assignment may be renewed if there is no waiting list. A $3.00 key deposit is collected when a key is issued and refunded when the key is returned. Locker applications are available online and at the Circulation Desk.

Study carrels are available to UI graduate students who have an approved thesis or dissertation topic and who do not have an assigned office, desk or carrel elsewhere on campus. Carrels are assigned on a first come, first served basis, for one semester only. The assignment may be renewed if there is no waiting list. A $10.00 key deposit is collected when a key is issued and refunded when the key is returned. Carrell applications are available online and at the Circulation Desk.

Scanning Requests

Digital Initiatives is happy to provide high resolution scans of maps, photographs, or other items to patrons. The charge is $8 per scan (note that large objects, such as maps, will cost extra due to the extra scans needed to complete the process). The patron should leave the item with a reference librarian and then email dbecker@uidaho.edu his/her name, physical address (for tax purposes), email address, and a link for the item (if available). We will scan the item and send the patron a link to the file, as well as an invoice for the charge. The patron should expect to receive the scan in 5-7 days.

Collection Management

The following policies govern the addition, removal, and general management of library resources for specific areas of the University of Idaho Library collections. The UI Library Subject Liaison is responsible for creating and implementing the policy. The following list is incomplete.